Soviet aviation raids on the outskirts of Liepaja in October and December 1944
At the end of World War II, the German forces in Courland were able to successfully defend themselves for seven months, as the German Navy maintained combat capability until the end of World War II and supplied Army Group North and later Army Group Courland. The main port was Liepaja, through which 80% of all cargo was delivered and shipped. Liepaja thus became an important target for the Soviet Baltic Navy and long-range aviation.
The first air strikes of the Baltic Navy began on September 16, 1944 and continued intensively until the end of December 1944, with 16 large airstrikes involving 2,785 combat flights, dropping more than 1,500 tons of air bombs. Soviet aircraft lost 156 aircraft during the airstrikes.
During the airstrikes, the German Navy lost 8 sunken ships and dozens of damaged ships of varying degrees. Compared to the total number of ships passing through the port of Liepaja, such losses were very small and had little effect on the supply of German troops.
The torpedo regiment of the 51st Guards Torpedo Regiment, which was armed with US-made A-20 Boston bombers, suffered the biggest losses. Soviet bombers carried out three raids on ships anchored in the outskirts of Liepaja - on October 30, December 14 and December 22. The bombers flew at low altitudes, dropping 1,000 and 500 kg aviation bombs, which, if all went as planned, hit the target and destroy it. All three airstrikes took place in a single pattern, with eight on the Boston line approaching the North Pier and looking for targets individually. While only one of the eight planes lost in the first flight, German air defense units deployed several 88mm and 20mm anti-aircraft batteries on the north pier in December, waiting for Soviet bombers with a firewall. On 14 December, three of the seven planes lost and on 22 December, four of the six planes lost. Five "Boston" with all the crews were shot right over the outskirts of Liepaja. Due to such catastrophic losses, low-altitude flights to the port of Liepaja were no longer carried out.
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North Pier and Battery No.3 in Karosta
The longest pier in Latvia - the Northern Pier - was built at the end of the 19th century as a very important part of the Liepaja Sea Fortress and military port. The length of the pier is 1800 metres, the width - 7.35 metres.
The Northern Pier is one of the first port structures of Emperor Alexander III, built between 1890 and 1892 before the excavation of the Karosta Canal. Together with the North Breakwater, the South Breakwater and the South Pier, the pier formed the outpost of Liepaja.
Liepaja Fortress Battery No 3 was located next to the North Pier of the Karosta and was planned to be the largest in terms of armament. Platforms were built for four 6-inch (152 mm) guns of the 1892 model of the Canet system, five 11-inch (280 mm) guns of the 1887 model and two 57 mm Nordenfeld anti-tank guns, as well as 18 9-inch (229 mm) guns and mortars.
Today, Battery 3 is most affected by the prevailing south-north sea current, which creates a whirlpool effect behind the North Pier, resulting in the washouts of the gun platform foundations.
The North Pier protects the Liepaja harbour area from North Westerly winds. It is a favourite place for residents and visitors to Liepaja to watch sunsets, fish and watch the sea in different weather conditions. Especially spectacular during storms.
There is ample parking at the North Pier. There are also restrooms and a café with a unique sea view.
